Collapsible crate.



2 SHEETBSHEET 1.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

GOLLAPSIBLE CRATE. APPLICATION FILED 001'.29,1910.'

G. W. CRAYORAFT.

G. W. CRAYCRAFT.

GOLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

APPLIGATION FILED 001229, 1910.

1,034,982. Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

GEORGE W. CRAYCRAFT, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 6, 1912.

Application filed October 29, 1910. Serial No. 589,754.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE l/V. CRAY- CRAFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anderson, in the county of Madison and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Crates, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to shipping crates, and more particularly to the class of knockdown or collapsible shipping crates.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a crate in which the end sections or walls thereof will be fastened so as to retain the side sections or walls of the crate in position, thus obviating the necessity of fasteners for the side sections or walls, and at the same time permitting the quick and easy collapsing of the crate, or the setting up thereof when desired.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a crate of the knock-down type which will enable goods, fruits or vegetables to be transported from one locality to another with safety, and that is capable of being knocked down when not in use, thereby occupying the least possible space when in knockdown position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a crate of this character which may be readily constructed at small cost and that may be readily set up or knocked down, and also which, when in knock-down or flat position, is compact for the convenient and easy transportation thereof.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a crate constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same. Fig. 4 is a plan View of the top section, looking toward the inner side thereof. Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the end sections removed from the crate. Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the side sections removed from the crate.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

eferring to the drawings by numerals, the crate comprises top and bottom sections 5 and (3, respectively, both being of identical construction, and each including spaced parallel side bars 7 connected bv end cross bars 8, to which latter is connected an intermediate bar or slat 9, and to the side bars 7 at the inner faces thereof are secured strips 10, the ends of which abut against the inner faces of the end cross bars 8 and are so positioned as to be flush with the upper edges. of the side and end bars of the said sections.

Detachably mounted between the top and bottom sections and 6 are side and end sections 11 and 12, respectively, each of the side sections including spaced vertical end uprights 13, the latter being connected. spaced from their ends, by means of longitudinal rails or bars 14, whiclrlatter are adapted to contact with the inner edges of the side bars 7 of the top and bottom sections, while the projected ends of the uprights 13 project into the inner corners of the said top and bottom sections, the uprights 13 being spaced from the ends of the longitudinal bars 14, for a purpose, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Each end section 12 comprises upper and lower cross bars 15, the same being connectcd to the outer faces of spaced vertical bars 16, the latter being also spaced from the ends of the cross bars 15 and are adapted to engage with the inner faces of the uprights 13 of the side sections 11, the top and bottom bars 15 being adapted to engage with the inner faces of the end bars 8 of the said top and bottom sections, while the protruding ends of the said top and bottom bars 15 abut against the protruded ends of the longitudinal bars 14 and the outer faces of the uprights 13 of the side sections. The protruded ends of the uprights 16 beyond the top and bottom bars of the end sections engage with the inner faces of the end bars 8 of the top and bottom sections, thus preventing the outward bulging of the end sections of the crate when in upright position.

Passed through the end bars of the top and bottom sections and the top and bottom bars of the end sections are detachable bolt members 18, which latter serve to detachably fasten the end sections to the top and bottom sections, and also prevent the displacement of the side sections of the crate. Passed through the longitudinal bars 14 of the side sections and engaged in the side bars 7 of the top and bottom sections are removable dowel pins 19, which latter serve to fasten the side sections securely to the said top and bottom sections. Of course, it is to be understood that other fasteners in lieu of the bolt members and the dowel pins may be substituted, as may be found desirable.

The side and end sections are reinforced by diagonal brace bars or slats 20, the same being suitably secured to the vertical uprights 13 and 16 of the sections, respec tively, and also secured to the intermediate slats 21 spaced from each other and secured to the said uprights 13 and 16 of the side and end sections, respectively.

It is to be understood of course, that the formation of the side and end sections may be varied within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its ad vantages.

Presuming that the crate is in set-up po sition and it is desired to collapse the same, it is only necessary to remove the bolt members 18 from the end, top and bottom sections 5, 6 and 12, whereupon the top section 5 may be removed, thus permitting the detachment of the side and end sections 11 and 12. It is of course understood that prior to the removal of the side sections the dowel pins are disengaged from the side bars of the top and bottom sections.

What is claimed is:

In a collapsible crate, bottom, top, side and end sections, side and end rails fixed to the top and bottom sections to protrude be yond the inner faces thereof and forming an inelosure, each of the side and end sections comprising vertical end posts and trans verse upper and lower bars secured thereto, the said transverse bars being spaced from the ends of the end posts and projected laterally slightly beyond thelatter, the end sections being adapted to be inserted between the side sections, whereby their end posts will contact with the end posts of the said side sections and the upper and lower cross bars rest against the side and end bars on the top and bottom sections, the ends of the end posts being engaged against the inner faces of the side and end bars of said top and bottom sections, and fastening mediums connecting the upper and lower cross bars of the side and end sections to the side and end bars of the top and bottom sections. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. CRAYCRAFT. Witnesses JosEPH I. FADALY, WILLIAM L. Coon.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

